She couldn't help a hiss as she slid from the saddle before straightening her back, gods but was she stiff!

- 'You all right Lissa?'

- 'I'm stiff all over! I thought you said the trip was a short one?'

Chrom let a retainer take the reins from him as he walked over to his sister.

- 'It is. You can't blame me for being too delicate for even such a short journey.'

- 'I am not delicate!'

Lissa huffed in righteous annoyance even as Chrom laughed and the nearby retainers smirked in amusement.

A short moment later she was sitting on a rock, chewing on hardtack and observing the area as the retainers went about their duties while Chrom discussed some matter or other with Frederick. It was a beautiful day, definitely too beautiful to spend indoors what with the clear sky, a brilliant sun that warmed pleasantly but not so much it became unpleasant and the air was heavy with the smell of grass. Movement drew the princess's attention, it take long for her to pinpoint what it was. A robin, red breast presented proudly, was sitting on a nearby branch and seemed to be bobbing its head while looking at Lissa.

- 'Hello there. Are you interested in some hardtack?'

She couldn't help asking despite feeling slightly silly about talking to an animal. The robin stopped its bobbing for a moment only to suddenly take flight and land a short distance away where it continued to look at the girl while bobbing its head, almost as if it was inviting her to follow. Lissa cast a quick look towards the camp; nobody else seemed to be paying attention to her. Feeling silly she decided that it should be all right, so long as she didn't walk too far away. The princess managed to get within three meters of the bird before it took off again landing a bit further and resuming its motion.

Very strange, Lissa thought as she cast a look back to make sure she was within easy distance of the camp before following the robin further. This continued for a short while and just as she decided that she would follow the bird no further the robin landed on a tree over looking a field and Lissa saw something that was so very out of place that she called out loud.

- 'Chrom! Quick!'

When Chrom, Frederick and several of the retainers ran into the field they found Lissa kneeling beside an armoured form, wrestling with the strap of a helm.

- 'Give me a hand with him.'

One of the retainers immediately knelt beside her and, with relative ease, undid the strap and removed the helm from the body, amidst Lissa's reprimands to be gentle. Underneath, like many men at arms the man had a lightweight bascinet meaning that only a little could be seen of the mans flesh, a long skull with a gaunt face that, though weather beaten, was visibly pale making the mans facial hair seem darker than it was.

- 'No visible injuries. The ground does not seem to have been especially disturbed either. Very odd.'

Frederick muttered as he looked over the scene. Meanwhile the retainer handed the helm to Chrom who looked it over with a practiced eye, a simple design it was heavily battered and bore sign of constant repair. On inspection the rest of the mans kit seemed to be similarly abused. Lissa meanwhile continued to examine the man.

- 'Think Lissa! What was it you're supposed to do if someone is unconscious? Um, it was… OH!'

Chrom turned his attention back to his sister at that and saw what had caused her surprise. The mans eyes had opened and he had, with some help, sat up and was now clutching his head.

- 'Are you all right there?'

Chrom asked as he handed the helm back to the retainer and extended a hand.

- 'Can you stand?'

The man did not reply but gripped the princes' hand with his own and pushed/was pulled up to his feet, his balance was off and he staggered forward before finally being able to stand firm on his feet.

- 'Careful there.'

The man opened his mouth but nothing came out but a cough. Lissa appeared next to Chrom and offered a flask that the man took with a nod before taking a long draught before coughing again and handing it back.

- 'Thank you.'

He croaked before turning back to Chrom, a confused look spreading across his face as he spoke again.

- 'Chrom?'

- 'Oh? So you know me?'

The man shook his head before pressing a hand to his head as a pained look flashed across his face and he looked ready to fall, Chrom steadied the man.

- 'Steady. Lets start with your name sir, what is your name?'

The man looked at Chrom as if confused before the look turned to one of panic.

- 'My name? What is it?'

- 'Calm down friend.'

Chrom tightened his grip on the man. Lissa, who had been standing quietly nearby, now looked up as something came to her.

- 'I've heard of cases like this! They call it amnesia.'

- 'I'd call it a load of dung.'

Frederick offered his tuppence.

- 'You can't surely expect us to believe that this person remembers my lords name but not his own?'

Lissa snorted as she answered.

- 'Nobody really understands it but sometimes people forget things while remembering other things. It's complicated.'

She finished with a shrug as she realized several of the men were looking at her with raised eyebrows. Chrom nodded but turned back to the man.

- 'Do know where you are? What day it is?'

The man thought for a moment before shaking his head. Chrom sighed and stepped to Frederick.

- 'He does look confused. We'll take him to the nearest settlement, they might know something about it.'

Judging by the look on his face Frederick was not amused with the idea.

- 'If my lord insists but at the very least allow us to disarm the man.'

The stranger looked up at that and took a step back, hand moving to the blade at his side while casting a look around. Immediately the retainers and Frederick went for their own weapons.

- 'Peace! All of you calm down.'

Chrom barked, his tone effectively stopping anyone from drawing steel but no one actually stood down. In the following silence Lissa's voice was heard loud and clear.

- 'Robin!'

All eyes turned to her, more than one eyebrow raised and the girl continued unperturbed.

- 'We can't keep referring to the man as "him" or "the man" and if he can't remember his name than he needs a new one. At least until we find out what it actually is.'

Silence fell with everyone looking at the girl before the man coughed.

- 'Robin?'

- 'Yeah. The only reason we found you was because a robin was flying around you; lead me to you so to speak. And I thought, "Why not". You know?'

There was another moment of silence before he nodded.

- 'It is as good a name as any, I suppose. I still don't like the idea of being disarmed.'

- 'You will admit, stranger, that meeting an armed and armoured man in the middle of a field who remembers our lords name but nothing else is very suspicious.'

Frederick stated, very calmly considering his hand was still on his weapon. Robin responded in a similar tone.

- 'It is. Bear in mind that I wake up god knows where, with no idea of who I am and surrounded by armed men who want to disarm me. You will admit that might be somewhat unnerving.'

- 'Both of you calm down.'

Chrom intervened, glaring at one than the other.

- 'Frederick, stand down.'

- 'My lord…'

- 'Do it.'

The knight frowned but stood down, followed by the retainers. Chrom now turned to Robin, who was still in a guarded stance.

- 'I swear on my honour that we mean you no harm but we cannot leave you in your current state. You will accompany us to the nearest settlement where we shall see if we can verify your identity. After that you will be free to go.'

Robin thought for a moment before nodding.

- 'I swear on my honour that I will not draw steel on you or your men lest you do first. Would that belay any concern about my intent?'

He directed his attention to Frederick at this who held his gaze without flinching laving the two in a contest of will that was ended by Chrom.

- 'It is enough. Now lets get moving, we can talk more on the move.'

Everyone nodded their consent and Robin was handed objects in the vicinity that were assumed to be his, his helm, a shield with a strange design on it and a faded cloak that had, at some point, must have been richly decorated with patterns but was so frayed and the colours so faded that it was impossible to recognize them.

While this was going on Chrom approached Lissa and whispered.

- 'Well done back there, with the name. It might have come to blows otherwise.'

A smug expression spread across Lissa's face.

- 'See! I told you it would be a good idea to bring me on patrol.'

- 'Yes, yes. You did well.'

Chrom nodded, patting his sister on the shoulder.

- 'We still would have made better time if we didn't have to deal with your delicate person though.'

- 'I am not delicate!'

Their travel time suffered anyway when it became apparent that Robin had no horse and Chrom, followed by Lissa, insisted to walk alongside him causing Frederick and the retainers to do likewise. The time was spent productively in trying to explain as much of where the man had found himself, though the growing look of concern on Robins face made Chrom hesitant about saying too much, rather than jostle his memories the influx of information only seemed to make the amnesiac more concerned about how much his memories lacked.

As such they had shifted to an awkward silence and it was with some relief, Chrom would later be ashamed to admit, that they spotted the massive black plume of smoke heralding fire.

- 'Mount up!'

Even as the men did as told Frederick looked to the horseless Robin and asked.

- 'What about this one?'

Chrom paused before shrugging and turning the amnesiac.

- 'You can share a horse with one of the men, run beside one while holding the saddle or just walk. I'm afraid yours is a less pressing matter.'

With that said he gave an order and the troop trotted away, Robin quickly glanced around before grabbing Lissa's saddle and, hoping that her riding sidesaddle meant she would not ride too quickly, ran along.

- 'Which one of you idiots thought it was a good idea to set fire to the town?'

The gathered men looked down sheepishly as if they were school boys caught in some misdeed even as the majority of the raiders piled the plundered wealth onto wagons gathered from the town and outlying farms, gingerly stepping over bodies as if afraid to get blood on their shoes. Others stood watch over a number of people, arms bound and lashed together by the neck.

- 'No doubt by now the local nobility is aware that we are here and are gathering to catch us. If we have to leave behind our plunder rest assured I'll be selling your hides to make up the cost!'

This earned him dirty looks from the officers, but knowing that if they did indeed have to abandon their loot to escape pursuit their own men would gladly sell them in the hopes of having some income from the campaign and so did not speak, merely began plotting on what to do if worst came to pass.

As if on cue a sentry ran up and, falling on his hands and knees before the captain, chanted.

- 'My master, scourge of the infidel!'

- 'Report.'

- 'A force of Ylissians rides to the city, they are no more than a half mile away.'

The captain swore and glared at the officers before turning back to the sentry.

- 'How many?'

- 'No more than twenty, master.'

- 'Grima's will be done.'

He intoned, dismissing the sentry with a kick before turning to his officers.

- 'You are fortunate that they are so few. Finish loading the plunder and get a move to the coast. We shall bleed this twenty here.'

He paused, looking over his officers before settling on one.

- 'You will lead our rearguard.'

The called officer opened his mouth as if to protest but a quick glance to the sides made him realize he would have no support from the others. So instead he turned his mind to how to turn this to his advantage even as he bent his neck and intoned the proper response.

- 'I hear and obey master.'

They rode through the shattered remnants of the town's gate and into the streets beyond. Thick smoke hung low and the heat from the burning buildings made it nigh unbearable but that was not what made the troop stop. What made them stop was the fact that the streets were littered with scattered furniture, clothing and bodies both human and animal. A dog lifted its snout from the entrails of a woman it had been buried in and snarled at the arrivals before slinking away into an alley.

- 'Gods be merciful.'

Someone muttered. Chrom looked at the scene, his mouth set in a thin line before turning to Frederick.

- 'Leave five here with Lissa. We'll take the rest and head for the square.'

- 'My lord.'

The knight confirmed and turned to issue orders, having done so he leaned in to Chrom and whispered,

- 'What of the stranger?'

Chrom paused and glanced back before turning back with a shrug.

- 'He can stay with Lissa.'

- 'Are you sure that's wise?'

- 'He'll be one against five, I think they'll manage.'

That done readied to give the next order but was interrupted.

- 'Chrom?'

- 'No Lissa. You'll stay here.'

The princess frowned but did not push the matter and the troop thundered off. In a heartbeat they entered the town square and a quick look round revealed that the raiders were still in the town and leaving through another gate. There was no hesitation, Chrom pulled Falchion from its scabbard and pointed it in their direction.

- 'Forward!'

The Yllisians rode down the street with the full intention of driving into the raiders when a wagon appeared in their path, pushed from an alley by a number of the raiders. Horses pulled short of the obstacle, men cursing as they attempted to keep their seat. Men appeared on the wagon with spears and bows and attacked the Yllisians.

- 'Dismount! Clear the wagon!'

Chroms voice sounded and men moved to obey. Frederick hesitated as he looked around before leaning in.

- 'My lord! We should pull back before…'

He didn't finish his sentence for when he looked back he saw that what he was afraid of had already happened, the streets other end had also been blocked. They were trapped and now the only way out was forward he realized even as the first arrows fell on their backs.

The man now known as Robin looked up, dropping the body he had been moving to the side of the road at Lissa's request, "Give them some decency," she had said. The honesty showing in her face stopped him from pointing out that the dead cared little for decency though that thought had made him wonder, was he a cynic? Or was he simply cruel? Somehow he realized that most people cared about the sanctity of the dead, it was an unwritten rule and yet he had cared naught for it.

He now stood silently and looked into the direction of where the girl's brother had rode off with most of their men. If he wanted to run now would be the best chance, he decided against it. He had made no oath so he had no reason not to however something kept him here, a strange feeling as if he was supposed to stay.

Pain. A sharp explosion of pain turning his vision white and making his legs buckle under him, one hand resting on the wall to stop his fall the other pressing against his head in an instinctive attempt to suppress the pain. Images flashed in his mind, scenes without context and therefore no meaning appeared and vanished replaced by the slow return of his sight and a concerned voice sounding near him.

- 'Robin! Robin? Are you all right? Robin!'

The girl was standing next to him, both arms helping to keep him on his feet. The man breathed in deeply before exhaling slowly and standing straight.

- 'I'm fine. More importantly something seems to be happening there.'

Lissa and the retainers who had approached, more to safegaurd their lady than to assist the man, looked to where he pointed and saw a group of shapes dragging a wagon to block the street Chrom and his men had rode down.

There was no logical reason for Robin to do what he did next but as if be some unknown command he took his helm from his belt and slid it over his head, securing the strap with practised ease before slinging the shield from his back and fastening it to his arm. Turning to the others he stated.

- 'I am heading for the fight. You lot should probably follow.'

The retainers looked at him in surprise before resting their hands on their weapons, two reaching for their crossbows.

- 'You're not meant to move.'

One said. Robin rolled his shoulders as he answered.

- 'No. You have no orders to stop me, your orders are to protect her.'

He tilted his head to indicate Lissa.

- 'I am going to assist your lord. I would have thought that you would be loyal enough to do likewise.'

The retainers hesitated and failed to notice Lissa nimbly setting herself in the saddle.

- 'Robins right, your orders were to watch me and I am going in that direction. Keep up!'

She cheerfully declared before riding off, Robin running beside her. The chief retainer cursed, looked after his lady, back to his men and cursed again.

- 'Mount up!'

With a strong pull the spear, and the man holding it flew from the wagon, he had enough time to lift his hands in a mute plea for mercy before Fredericks axe came down and shattered his skull. Looking up the knight quickly located his lord and moved to his side, nimbly swatting aside the spear meant for Chrom. The raiders, now without a doubt looking and sounding like Plegians had lined both on and around the wagon and were presenting a forest of spear points to keep the Ylissians down while archers took their time to pick off the captured men.

The Ylissians had forced their horses flat on the street and some of their number returned the Plegian missiles with their own while most tried to force through the blockade in front of them. Even as Frederick moved forward another retainer fell back with a cry, clutching his face with both hands, blood dripping from between tightly clenched fingers, the spear responsible disappearing before the knight could grab it. He was however in time to swat aside another spear meant for Chrom.

The lord himself kept pushing forward. Falchion, the ancient blade rumoured to be the same used by the mythical Marth from whom the Ylissian royal family claimed descent, didn't so much shatter the spear as part it. The Plegian wielding the polearm hesitating in stunned silence as the point of his weapon seemed to simply fall away and in that moments hesitation Chrom stepped in and stabbed, his blade pushing past the copper plated leather vest the raider was wearing and into his gut before twisting the blade and yanking it free. The Plegian stumbled back, hands moving to stop his intestines from spilling to the ground, before collapsing, looking at his wound in stunned silence.

Chrom's attempt to push forward was for naught, several spears slammed into him, two punching with force into his shield and another driving hard into his stomach. The brigandine held but the force of the blow drove the air from him and Chrom staggered back. Without hesitation Frederick pulled his lord back, knocking aside attack that a Plegian had hoped to end the princes life with. Stumbling slightly the prince was caught by one of his men who shouted something that was lost in the din.

- 'What?'

- 'There milord! Look!'

Chrom followed the mans hand to the wagon that was blocking the other end of the street. For a moment he did not see what he was supposed to see until he realized, there was no sight of the raiders on it. His surprise was only increased when he saw Lissa's characteristic silhouette appear, wave and disappear.

- 'She didn't listen and brought those men to clear them.'

He summarised neatly. The retainer nodded.

- 'Looks like. But before there was another up there and he signalled us to keep the pressure here, milord.'

Chrom's brow furrowed as he considered it before an idea came to mind what the plan might be.

- 'Right. Lets keep the pressure up than. Follow me!'

The last was nearly shouted as the prince lifted Falchion high and re-entered the fray.

- 'We're grinding them down slowly master, a few more moments and the infidel will be vanquished.'

The officer listened to the report with pursed lips as he couldn't help but think that it was taking too long. Sooner or later some lord or another would gather his men and ride to investigate the smoke. He also had to take into account that some of the peasants from the raided settlements had managed to slip through the raiders nets and had delivered news of their presence. Militia could be dealt with, this small force of a noble and his retinue could be dealt with but should a lord show up with his men at arms in strength than the raiders would be hard pressed. The officer once again cursed his commander silently and thought with some pleasure of what sort of revenge he might visit upon him once this was over.

The man reporting to him, still bent over nearly in half, shifted his weight, uncomfortable with the long silence, reminding the officer of his duties.

- 'Very good. Return to the fight and slaughter the faithless.'

- 'Yes master.'

He bowed even lower before returning to the fight. For a moment nothing much happened and the Plegian stood observing the life and death struggle until at some point something seemed wrong. Concentrating he soon pinpointed what it was, a thudding sound of several heavy things moving at speed. Swerving on the spot he looked left to see three horsemen turn the corner and charge down the street at him. He did not need to turn around to see that the exact same thing was happening behind him.

Drawing his sword he shouted over the din.

- 'To me! To me!'

His men reacted slowly, turning with some confusion and when the horsemen hit them they were scattered and confused, excellent prey for cavalry. One Plegian crumbled like a doll whose strings were cut, skull shattered under a downward blow. Another dodged out of one riders' way only to run into the path of another, the force of being hit by a charging horses chest sent him to the ground, dazed. Another thrust his spear in the face of a rider, who leant back before leaning back in with a counter, the spear fell from one hand along with the fingers that had been severed and the raider stumbled back, screaming until another blow cleaved through his vest, nearly separating his arm from his body, sending the Plegian to the ground screaming in agony.

The officer dodged and weaved his way between the riders, trying to rally his men around him until he realized that his men had panicked and were attempting to flee the horsemen as well as the other Ylissians who had swarmed over the wagon and joined the slaughter. With a curse he ran but unlike his men he avoided running directly to the nearest gate and instead ran for an alley, hoping to avoid being cut down with the rush and instead make his way to safety via another gate, or over the palisade if need be. He cursed when he realised the road was blocked but opted to continue this way regardless, he might not have enough time to make for another alley and the one blocking his path was but a slip of a girl, no real threat.

The girl in question looked at him and turned to shout something in the barbarians tongue and the Plegian realised she was not alone. Someone armoured as a man at arms stumbled from the horse, having freed himself from the stirrup he had seemed to have his foot in and now looked at the girl before looking towards him, the Ylissian drawing his arming sword in a smooth motion.

Not slowing down the Plegian delivered a quick, short slash towards the mans helmeted face, as expected he made an instinctive move back, lifting his shield up. The Plegian quickly shifted his grip and delivered a sharp, quick jab at his opponents stomach and was disappointed to feel his blade meet resistance as the infidel lowered his shield quickly enough to stop the attack while delivering his own blow, forcing the officer to jump back, shield high to protect against the over hand strike.

Casting a quick glance back he saw that the rest of the Ylissians were not yet moving towards him but it was only a matter of time, he had to deal with his opponent quickly. Moving forward he delivered a series of quick attacks, meant to batter away his opponents defence and leave him open for a crippling blow. His enemy however met him and dealt out his own blows and for a moment neither had the advantage until the Ylissian managed to knock aside his sword, leaving him open. The Plegian winced and lashed out with his shield, hoping to knock his opponent off balance before he managed to get a good strike in, the result surprised him.

His opponent met the attack with his own shield, sword held low ready for a fatal strike, but could not deliver. The shield strap broke and the shield flew erratically upwards. That sudden change made the Ylissian lose his balance and it was now he who was open for a blow. Grinning the Plegian shifted his stance and made ready to stab fast when he noticed the faded pattern on the shield and stiffened, why was an Ylissian bearing that mark on his shield? The momentary lapse cost him dear.

Something struck him from behind, staggering him. Looking up he saw the girl, a clerics staff clutched tightly in her hands. Curse forming on his lips he shifted his weight and stopped. He felt a sharp pain and looked down to see a length of blood stained steel protruding from his stomach. He gasped and the blade twisted and was yanked free and, with the blade gone it was as if his strength to stand was gone. He fell to the ground with a gasp. The Plegian tried to push himself up only to feel a weight slam into his back, pushing him back to the ground. He never felt the blow that killed him.

Lissa looked in silence as Robin twisted the blade in the raiders wound before pulling it free, she did her best to ignore the spray of blood that followed the action, the growing puddle under the dying man and the spasms that shook him. She was no stranger to injuries, she had seen some gruesome ones at the hospice where she trained and yet there was something different about the blood this time.

She had just seen the man die a violent death. She had helped the man die a violent death. The thought made her feel sick even as she rationalized that the raider was responsible for the towns destruction, the death of its population and yet the fact that she had helped a man kill another made her feel sick.

- 'I thought you promised to stay away from the fighting?'

Robins voice made her look up, the man had wiped his sword clean and stood in front of her. The tone of his voice made her snort and as if by magic she no longer felt sick.

- 'Yes but that was before you needed help.'

The helmeted head did not show anything of the mans face but Lissa was certain the man rolled his eyes as he walked away. Careful not to look at the corpse she followed.

- 'Don't just walk away like that! It's rude!'

She had not expected him to react and so she nearly walked into Robin when he suddenly stopped. Lissa was about to complain but stopped short at the sight of why he had done so. Chrom and Frederick stood in front of the man, what was visible of their faces from under their helmets did not seem amused. To the side the five retainers that had been responsible for her safety stood to the side looking incredibly sheepish.

- 'I believe you had sworn not to draw steel?'

Chrom stated simply.

- 'Against you and your men. Besides I'd say you should be thankful regardless.'

Faces darkened at the mans words but before it could go any further Lissa pushed forward.

- 'That's enough! I'm the one who asked him to help and I'm the one who forced those men to move. If you're going to be angry with someone it should be me!'

She instinctively flinched when the glares turned to her.

- 'And you Lissa! I asked you to stay out of the fight and next I know your charging into the middle of it!'

Lissa did not reply to that as she looked down at her own feet. Chrom fell silent before sighing and covering the distance between them.

- 'Don't do things that make me worry. How would I be able to face Emm if something happened to you?'

He offered in a voice not meant to be overheard as he gave his sister a hug, one she returned.

- 'I'm sorry bro. But what was I to do when it looked like you needed help?'

As if by silent agreement everyone else gave the siblings some privacy, mostly by dragging the wounded aside or checking ones gear. Robin frowned as he looked his shield over, the straps were worn and it looked most would follow the one that had already broke. Movement at the corner of his eye made him look up to see Frederick approaching, a leather shield picked from amongst the dead raiders in his hands.

- 'Use this, at least until we find someone to get your own shield fixed.'

There was a moment's pause before Robin put down his own shield and took the one the knight offered him.

- 'Am I to take it you no longer wish to disarm me?'

Frederick scowled as he answered.

- 'You swore an oath. More practically though I would say that someone who fights alongside us deserves a certain degree of goodwill.'

Robin nodded and the two stood in an awkward silence before the amnesiac coughed.

- 'Is your lord planning to pursue? We only got the rear guard here.'

Frederick sighed, looked towards the gate and the distant shapes before replying.

- 'We're already bloodied and we don't know how many raiders we'd be facing. We can not simply ride at them.'

Robin nodded looking back to the body littered street and to those who were assisting the wounded, Lissa now with them and Chrom walking towards the talking men.

- 'No. You shouldn't.'

The man collapsed, dragging down those he was tied to making the whole column halt. Two Plegians marched to the column and dragged the man to his feet, only for him to fall once they let go. They two looked to their commander who frowned before hissing.

- 'Do it.'

The first Plegian removed the binds around the mans neck and pushed him towards the other Plegian who, in one practiced motion, drew his curved dagger and drew it across the Ylissians neck.

As the prisoner fell to the ground, chocking on his blood one of the women among the prisoners wailed and tried to move from her place in line towards the now corpse. Without putting much effort into it the first raider turned and punched the woman in the gut, doubling her over in agony before shoving her back into her place in the line. Another cracked his whip, opening a new bleeding wound on the woman's back and the whole group hastened to move, lest they be next to taste the lash, nearly dragging the sobbing woman along.

The commander glanced at the still convulsing body as he passed it and shook his head at the waste. Every captive that died like this meant one less to be sold at the slave markets which meant less of a return from his investment in the raid. The problem, he decided, was that the Ylissians did not breed healthy stock. They were soft, they were weak and that was but two of the many reasons, he decided, that Ylissians deserved their fate.

- 'Master.'

He turned to the man who interrupted his train of thought, the man and fallen on his face as he reported.

- 'There are several men pursuing us on foot, they seem to be from the group that we have left as a rearguard.'

The commander frowned as he thought the matter over.

- 'Is there any sign of someone pursuing them?'

- 'No master, none that I could see.'

The Plegian frowned before reaching a decision.

- 'Well stop by the ford; let them catch up with us there.'

And than, once he had the report he would decide whether action needed to be taken, including any eventual punishments.

The stragglers caught up with them. There were four of them, their cloths bloodied, torn and dusted. They staggered towards the waiting Plegians, many stopped and bent over in an attempt to catch their breath.

The raiders commander looked over the men and, not seeing the officer he had left in charge of their number he approached the closest of the arrivals and barked.

- 'You, report!'

The called on raider moved to assume the correct position before lunging towards the commander.

The Plegian gasped as he felt the dagger punch through his mail and into his gut. He tried to push away but the Yllisian, dressed as a raider, held the commander in a tight grip and twisted the dagger in the mans gut before yanking it out, enlarging the wound. Strength failing the commander only just registered the other "raiders" draw weapons and attack the Plegians even as the one that had wounded him pulled the commanders head up and plunged the dagger into his neck.

- 'That's our signal.'

Chrom nodded as he drew Falchion and swept it down.

- 'Advance.'

At his order the four riders with him kicked their mounts into a walk as they rode through the woodland towards the ford they were overlooking.

When Robin had suggested having part of the force put on the dead raiders equipment and follow the escaping force on the road, therefore drawing attention to themselves while the rest followed through the woodland it was met with hesitation. In the end Chroms desire to see the raiders punished for the damage caused won over and he agreed.

The amnesic now rode next to the prince on a horse left from one of the days casualties, he had offered to lead the foot group but Frederick protested, quietly pointing out to Chrom that he might yet prove himself an enemy and warn the raiders of the pursuit. The prince had agreed though he let the man ride with him. He could in no way disagree, Frederick was justified in his wariness but Chrom felt in his gut that Robin could be an asset and meant no ill, and so far in life his gut feelings tended to be right.

As Frederick gutted the first Plegian the prince signalled his group to pick up speed and soon the Raiders that had been moving to overwhelm the small force attacking them paused at the sound and sight of the mounted group riding from the woods, charging them. Though still outnumbering the Ylissians the Plegians panicked and scattered leaving them easy prey for the horsemen.

Chrom slashed downwards, splitting a raiders skull with relative ease before shifting in the saddle and driving the point through another's back. It was a short frenzy of bloodshed as demoralized and seemingly attacked from all sides the raiders lost heart. First as individuals and than as a group, they attempted to flee the melee.

- 'After them! Don't let them get away!'

Chrom bellowed, his order was met with an approving roar from his men who gave persuit, cutting down the running foes with ruthless efficiency.

The captives have been freed and were now being looked over by his men while the dead were moved to the side of the road. The wounded were dealt with; the small number of Ylissians had their wounds dressed while the Plegians had their throats cut. Chrom spied who he was looking for and strode towards him.

- 'Robin!'

The man turned and tilted his head slightly.

- 'Congratulations on your victory, your lordship.'

Chrom nodded as he came to a halt in front of the amnesiac.

- 'Primo; you had your part in its making so it is also your victory. Secundo; you may call me Chrom, especially since you already did so before.'

The prince had smiled as he said it but Robin frowned at the reminder before offering a slight shrug.

- 'If you insist.'

- 'I do. But I have a matter to discuss with you, do you remember anything about who you are?'

Robin's frown seemed to deepen as he shook his head.

- 'Nothing concrete.'

Chrom nodded as he continued.

- 'But you are obviously a combatant of some experience. Rather than you wander around perhaps you would like to enter my service? If your memories return you would be free to leave but in the meantime you might as well use your talents.'

Robin looked at Chrom for a while after the prince had finished talking before looking away and around the area, the retainers going through the deceased belongings and the dead men themselves as he thought over the matter. Truth be told he felt there was little choice given his circumstances.

- 'So what kind of rewards one might expect in your service?'